Advocate letters to the editor

Sunday

May 18, 2014 at 6:00 PMMay 19, 2014 at 8:38 AM

Cancer support center to closeJoan Driscoll and I, and the entire board of directors and staff of The Center for Cancer Support and Education would like to thank the Arlington community for itís active support during the 10 years of our care for those touched by cancer in Arlington and surrounding communities.During this time, we have provided ongoing breast cancer, general cancer, brain cancer, cancer caregiver support groups, and wellness activities, including a writing workshop and healing meditation, both of which will continue.It has been our passion as a group to provide this care. Yet, as in all things, time has taken its toll and, with the retirement and resignations of key staff, we have decided to end all services and close CCSE, formerly known as Arms Around Arlington.We are so grateful to the numerous individuals who provided the time and energy to found and serve this organization over the 10 years of its existence, and we thank you profusely.Special thanks go to The Elizabeth and George L. Sanborn Foundation for the Treatment and Cure of Cancer, Inc. and especially Evelyn Smith-DeMille and Victoria Palmer-Erbs for the unrelenting advocacy for our efforts on behalf of those families touched by cancer.Our heartfelt thanks to our steadfast, gifted clinical staffóTara Mann, Edie Barrett, Debra DeMella and Angelika Festa.We are so grateful to Bill Mergendahl and Professional Ambulance Co. and the Armstrong family of Armstrong Ambulance Co. for giving us home and office space these past three years, as well as guidance and support.We would like to thank Cindy Bouvier, Benjamin Garton, Liam Murphy, Ginny Bucknam, Margaret Ryan, Caroline Rontin, Kiela Lyons and Jenn Cronin-Tripp for inspiration and leadership, and our loyal, hardworking volunteers, Deb and Kristen Sullivan, Rochelle Furman, Sue Robinson, Maria Melchionno and Betsy Rulon, and all the countless others for the many hours of time and energy dedicated to helping us thrive as a non-profit in challenging times.Most especially, we thank all the individuals and families touched by cancer who came to our doors or allowed us into their homes and hearts and trusted us to support them during these life-changing illnesses.We continue to care and respect your experience, your courage and your faith.Mary Lewis Sheehan, Summer Street, ArlingtonBut who is paying for it?It is bad enough that the Supreme Courtís Citizens United and McCutcheon decisions allow billionaires and corporations to write million dollar checks to influence elections, but anonymous checks? WHOA!Of the $1.2 billion spent by outside political groups in 2012, nearly 60 percent was not fully disclosed with donors listed. And, with Congress tied in knots on nearly every policy issue, we should not hold our breath for a legislative fix to shine a light on this "dark money." Luckily we donít have to.The Federal Communications Commission already requires on-air identification of the ad sponsors, but only those who have "editorial control." Thatís inadequate. What the public needs to know is who has financial control, i.e. who exactly is paying for this political ad!Common Cause has initiated a petition to the FCC to make such a change. So far, the Commission hasnít taken up the petition, but it is high time for them to do so. They should begin their 90-day review process immediately.With midterm elections only months away and campaigns already in full swing, the issue of who is paying to influence American voters should be right in front of our eyes.The FCC has previously said, "Listeners are entitled to know by whom they are being persuaded." The Commission has the power to require that information to be made public, and they have no excuse for not doing so.If you agree, please add your voice by signing the petition. Go to commoncause.org and click on Media and Democracy, then click on Tell the FCC.Richard Terry, Peabody Road, Arlington